JAKARTA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Youth and Sport Minister Imam Nahrawi, asked the national football team to practice hard prior to competing for the AFF Championship this year.

The statement came as the Indonesian squad will meet defending champion Thailand and other strong teams in Group B.

"This is very good as it will encourage the coach to step up preparation," Imam Nahrawi said. The Indonesian soccer team lost to Thailand in the 2016 edition of the AFF Championship.

Indonesia will be competing against Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei or Timor Leste in the qualification rounds of the AFF Championship.

The AFF Championship is scheduled to be held from November 8 to December 15.?